Liverpool star Javier Manquillo: 'I have to adapt to 3-4-3 formation to get more game time'

Liverpool defender Javier Manquillo believes the switch to the 3-4-3 formation is preventing him from featuring in manager Brendan Rodgers's plans as he is yet to adapt to the new system.

The 20-year-old Spaniard moved to Anfield in the summer of 2014 on a two-year loan from Atletico Madrid after Liverpool beat Arsenal for his signature, with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger also trying to secure his services.

Manquillo left Atletico in order to secure more regular time as with Juanfran excelling in manager Diego Simeone's line-up, his options to play at the Vicente Calderon looked uncertain.

But even though the Spanish starlet started the season as the first-choice right-back while covering for the injured Glen Johnson, he has fallen out of favour from Rodgers's plans since the formation switch.

The Spaniard has not played a Premier League game since the 4-1 victory over Swansea City on 29 December, while his only appearances since the beginning of the new year came in FA Cup games with AFC Wimbledon and Bolton Wanderers, and in the Europa League defeat to Besiktas.

Manquillo, who has usually played as a right-back in a four-man backline during his time at Atletico Madrid, understands the situation and says he will redouble his efforts to adapt to Rodgers's demands.

"The manager has said we have to work hard, basically. You can see the team is in great form and one has to do his best to get a chance in the starting XI," Manquillo said to the club's website.

"We've been playing very well in that system. I understand I have to adapt to it. I have been training hard and I need to keep doing that to be able to get more game time."

Nevertheless, after a difficult start to the campaign, following a big summer overhaul as part of Luis Suarez's departure to Barcelona, Liverpool have secured an impressive unbeaten run in the last 12 Premier League games due to the new formation.

"The dressing room has always had a unity and we have always been confident in ourselves. Little by little we've started to get to know more about each teammate, and that helped us raise our game. I believe that will play an important factor for the remainder of the season," Manquillo said.

"We're in great form and have been doing just fine on the pitch recently. I hope we can continue doing well towards the end of the season."